Host Ryan Seacrest asked all three girls to take a seat in the middle of the stage normally reserved for the bottom three. He called on Siobhan first, then Bowersox and Stevens as the audience went dead silent.

Judge Randy Jackson said he couldn't believe what he was seeing. 'None of these girls deserve to be in the bottom three,' he said. Siobhan remained poised as Bowersox and Stevens looked around anxiously.

'Ladies,' intoned Ryan Seacrest, 'I am pleased to announce you are all safe!!!'

The three women wore the stunned looks of rabbits caught in the headlights.

Then they giddily took their seats as Seacrest swiveled to begin the night's real business: which one of the remaining six male acts would be voted off the island.

"Idol" producers were clearly going for the jugular from the start.

Seacrest actually opened the show saying: “The producers have told me there are shocking results tonight."

The big fella, Michael Lynche, escaped elimination right at the last which means that two people are going to go off the show next week.